Chapter 124: Socializing With the Russian Aristocracy
It was not at all unusual for men of supreme military and political accomplishments to be granted with the highest echelons of nobility. For example, in 1871, after spending decades working to unite the German States into a single Empire, Otto von Bismarck was granted the title of Prince.
He was also later also given the title of Duke. Considering the man came from origins similar to Bruno, this was indeed a significant accomplishment. Bruno was now a Prince of Russia, a hereditary title that his family would hold in the Russian Empire so long as it lasted in this timeline.
This, of course, was more of a nuisance to Bruno than it was a boon. He after all was not exactly the gregarious type, in fact as much as he made fun of people back in Germany for assuming he would be the guy hiding in the back of the room at the bar and snack table, that was exactly how Bruno was intending to get away from the social butterflies of the Russian Aristocracy who would try to establish ties with him and his house.
Now that was simply unavoidable, as Bruno had come to learn the noble title, he had been granted for altering the course of history by winning the Russian Civil War on behalf of the House of Romanov was that of prince.
There would be nowhere for him to hide now that he was the center of attention. And that, of course, only compounded the fact that he would now have to dress in the uncomfortable and luxurious trappings of a proper nobleman, lest he bring shame to his family.
Hell, he would have to invest in the construction of multiple Estates one inside Prussia, and another in Russia. It was all a monumental headache for the man who preferred to live an inconspicuous and simple lifestyle.
Heidi, however, seemed rather excited, as did her daughters when they came to learn they were all literal princesses. Because of this, Bruno couldn't really complain and was forced to endure the newfound attention he would no doubt be receiving.
As promised, the Tsar allowed Bruno and his family to walk through saint Petersburg. Much of it was still under reconstruction following the Siege which had damaged significant portions of its outskirts during the Winter which the battle took place in.
Prior to the Iron Division's arrival and liberation of the city, the war was not going as planned for the Tsar, and the House of Romanov had fled in Exile to Siberia. It was only after Bruno appeared that the course of the war changed in the favor of the Loyalists.
And hence as Bruno walked through the streets of Saint Petersburg with his family, and a litany of bodyguards surrounding them, people would stop in the streets, recognizing the man, especially since he was still in uniform, and would thank Bruno for saving Russia from the tyranny of the Reds.